Rise of the Arms Dealer in the World War

Chapter 27: Chapter 27 Diverging Loyalties

Beijing, the heart of the Qing Empire, housed ambassadors from the world's great powers. These envoys were accompaned by their families, embassy staff, and security personnel, creating a community of hundreds within the city.

In an era of long-range communication, every ambassador in Beijing was well-informed about the Yihetuan—the Boxers—and their reputation for brutality and danger. There wasn't a single envoy who hadn't received warnings about the rising threat.

Empress Dowager Cixi, unwilling to eradicate the Yihetuan, hoped to keep the Boxers and the ambassadors apart. It was easier to appease both sides when they remained distant from one another. Her plan was to relocate the diplomats to Tianjin, away from the potential chaos brewing in Beijing.

But her efforts met with swift resistance.

"We will not abandon this city!"

Her envoy's arguments were dismissed outright.

"They are on their way to Beijing," one ambassador countered. "If we flee to Tianjin, we risk being attacked en route!"

"That is precisely why the Qing army will escort you to ensure your safety," the envoy replied. "Unlike Beijing, Tianjin is a port city. In the unlikely event of trouble, evacuation will be swift and secure."

"Unlikely event?" scoffed the French ambassador. "The time for decisive action has long passed. These madmen should be crushed, not coddled! Why does the Qing Empire refuse to act?"

"The Yihetuan are still our subjects," the envoy replied, his tone firm. "There appears to have been a misunderstanding, but they remain loyal citizens of the Qing Empire. They cannot simply be branded as rebels."

The French ambassador let out a derisive laugh.

"Not rebels? Even communists would seem moderate by comparison!"

The Qing official held his ground. "If you choose not to leave, we won't force you. But understand this: your safety will no longer be our responsibility."

With that, the envoy departed, leaving the ambassadors to their pride.

"We've already sent for reinforcements from home," the British ambassador said to his French counterpart. "They'll be here in a week at most. All we need to do is hold our ground together." @@novelbin@@

"Exactly!" replied the French ambassador. "There's no reason for us to flee like cowards. We're safer within the city walls."

To the diplomats, the Yihetuan were nothing more than traitors. Yet the Qing seemed reluctant to act decisively. Their reassurances that "the situation will soon be resolved" now rang hollow. And now, they had the audacity to suggest evacuation?

Let the allied forces arrive. This will all be over soon enough.

The Yihetuan weren't far from Beijing, yet the ambassadors stayed. They gathered their guards and stationed over 400 soldiers in the city center, preparing for the worst.

"It seems unlikely they'll dare attack this area," the British ambassador said, his voice steady with confidence. "The Qing wouldn't be so foolish as to send the Yihetuan here. We need only guard against isolated acts of violence."

The ambassadors, mistrustful of the Qing and dismissive of the Yihetuan's strength, remained firm in their decision to stay.

"Your Majesty, the ambassadors refuse to evacuate!"

A sharp crash echoed through the chamber as Empress Dowager Cixi struck the arm of her chair in fury.

"Those insolent fools!" she spat.

Who did they think they were? She was the Regent of the Great Qing Empire, yet these diplomats treated her authority as a triviality. They refused to bow, claiming loyalty only to their own sovereigns. They offered no more than hollow gestures of respect, masking their disdain.

Her offer to relocate them had been a gesture of goodwill, but they had rebuffed her with arrogance.

"What are your orders, Your Majesty?"

"Leave them!" she snapped. "If they refuse to leave, let them bear the consequences. Their safety is no longer our responsibility."

Yet even as she spoke, she knew she couldn't let the ambassadors clash with the Yihetuan. They had no idea what kind of group the Boxers truly were. To the diplomats, the Yihetuan were merely a peasant revolt—but Cixi knew better.

"Ensure they remain confined to their quarters. We cannot afford unnecessary conflict."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Reports confirmed that the Yihetuan would reach Beijing by nightfall. Cixi's advisors brought news that the leader of the Boxers wished to meet her.

"Their leader sends word that he wishes to send representatives to speak with Your Majesty," one advisor reported.

"Interesting..." Cixi murmured, leaning back in thought.

Meeting such rabble in person was beneath her dignity, yet she saw an opportunity. To bring the Yihetuan under her control, she would endure this insult.

"Very well," she declared. "I shall meet them tonight. Prepare a banquet."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Are you truly planning to meet her in person, Master?"

The leader of the Yihetuan stood resolute. "This is a matter I must handle myself. The Qing have been misled by the foreign devils, but they are not beyond redemption."

The empress had sent word inviting him to a banquet, though his initial request had been to allow his followers to enter the city. This was denied. Beijing, the imperial city, was no place for armed peasants.

"How absurd," he muttered. "Even the foreign ambassadors are accompanied by armed guards!"

Reluctantly, the Qing had allowed a small contingent of armed Boxers to accompany their leader, provided they disarmed within the palace grounds.

"That will suffice," the leader thought. "To bear arms within the Forbidden City would be to declare open rebellion."

As the Boxers approached Beijing, confusion rippled through their ranks.

"Can we even enter a city where the emperor resides?"

"I thought we were here to slay the foreign devils!"

"I assumed we were coming to spread the doctrine of the righteous fists."

The Yihetuan, born of chaos and lacking a coherent doctrine, had no clear direction. Their doubts grew louder until their leader silenced them with a commanding voice.

"We do not march merely to save the people of Beijing. We march to save the people of this entire land! Through the Righteous Fists, we will restore the Qing, and our way shall become the nation's faith! This is the true path to a united Middle Kingdom!"

His declaration rippled through the crowd, igniting a spark of zeal among his followers. With renewed purpose, they continued their march toward the imperial city.